SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 149 



were seen in the timber along Knik River, but they were not so 

 abundant as at the former place. 



Sciuropterus. FLYING SQUIRREL. 



Mr. Hicks and the Indians said they had seen a few about 

 Knik. 



Si)ermopliilus empetra sub. sp.f 



We saw them on the grassy slopes and at the edge of the rocks 

 at timber-line_, both north and south of Knik River. The Indians 

 use large numbers of skins in trimming moccasins, and I have 

 seen robes composed entirely of them. 



Arctomy.s pruiiiosus, (Gmel). HOARY MARMOT. 



While we saw their skins about the natives' camps, and were 

 told that these animals were common, we saw none. Twice I 

 thought I heard their notes in the mountains along Knik River. 



Castor canadensis, (Kuhl). AMERICAN BEAVER. 



Several were captured in June, some eight miles south of 

 Tyonek. Old cuttings were noted along Knik River, and on Ad- 

 miralty Island, near Juneau, I saw fresh beaver work. Fisher- 

 men reported capturing one in a seine set in salt water near 

 Tyonek, but their identification of the animal is open to doubt. 



Fiber spatuUis, (Osgood). NORTHWESTERN MUSK- 

 RAT. 



Common in the lakes, fresh-water ponds, and streams about 

 Knik River. 



Eretliizon epixanthus niyops, (Mcrriam). ALASKAN 

 PORCUPINE. 



Said to be common about Flope and Sunrise City. We saw 

 one on May 25th in the mountains, about thirty-five miles from 

 the mouth of Knik River. 



Ochotona collaris, (Nelson). ALASKAN PIKA. 



Said to occur sparingly among the rocks above timber-line. I 

 heard one on May 15th in the mountains near the mouth of Knik 

 River. The Indians have a superstition that if any are killed it 

 will rain for ten days, and so strong is their aversion to the mo- 

 lestation of these animals that parents have been seen to chastise 

 their children for daring: to imitate their notes. 



